Bass Pushes Alternative Budget Plan To Avoid Health Care Cuts
On Wednesday, California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) said the state should seek funds from the federal government and increase state revenue to address the state budget deficit, rather than cutting funds for health care and other programs, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's (R) proposal would cut state funding for programs and increase state revenue to address the state's budget deficit, now projected at $27.8 billion over two years (Sanders, Sacramento Bee, 11/20).
In a visit with the Bee's Capitol Bureau, Bass said one of the reasons why it's difficult for her Republican and Democratic colleagues to vote decisively on the matter is because of potential opposition in the next primary election.
Bass said Republicans are reticent to vote to increase revenue, while Democrats do not want to vote for large cuts to health and human services ("Capitol Alert," Sacramento Bee, 11/20). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.